Orthopedics of rapid maxillary expansion with a face mask in a patient with unilateral cleft lip and palate: A case report

Cleft lip and palate is a congenital malformation that is generally associated with Class III skeletal malocclusion. This is due to the lack of union of the nasopalatine processes that generate craniofacial and dentoalveolar anomalies. However, the management of this Class III malocclusion is through early orthopedic treatment. The purpose of this case report was to describe the orthopedic changes of rapid maxillary expansion using a facemask in a patient with non-syndromic unilateral cleft lip and palate. This is a case report of an 8-year-old boy with Class III malocclusion due to maxillary retrusion and left posterior crossbite. A Hyrax intraoral rapid maxillary expansion appliance was used to correct the transverse deficiency of the anterior sector, and after that, the Petit facial mask was placed, correcting at the sagittal level, which could be used for 11 months, thus achieving significant dental-skeletal changes in a short time due to the collaboration of the parents and the age of the patient. Early treatment of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate had optimal dentoskeletal outcomes. This improved the posterior transverse relationship as well as in the sagittal plane, due to the advancement of the upper jaw, this was successful thanks to the collaboration of the patient, family members and the young age of the patient.